Daily Current Affairs and GK | 29 November 2019

1. 1^st International Conference on "Landslides Risk Reduction and Resilience" - 2019

• The conference was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs in New Delhi.
• The first of its kind conference is being organized by the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM).
• More than 50 knowledge partners like UNICEF, UNESCAP, UNDP, MoES, GSI, CSIR, etc. supported in organizing the event.
• The conference aims at finding long term solutions to natural disasters.
• National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM):
  • Founded: 1995
  • President: Union Home Minister
  • Headquarters: New Delhi

2. Indian PM and Sri Lankan President holds bilateral talk

• Indian Prime Minister and Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksha holds bilateral talks in New Delhi.
• After assuming the office as Sri Lankan President, it is his first visit to India.
• It is expected that there will be talks regarding increasing cooperation between the two nations.
• Sri Lanka is a democratic republic country which is located in the Indian Ocean.
• Sri Lanka is separated from the Indian mainland through Palk Strait.

3. Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill 2019 passed in Parliament

• Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill 2019 has been passed in Parliament.
• The bill seeks to amend the Chit Funds Act, 1982, which states that a Chit Fund Company cannot be opened without the prior approval of state government.
• The bill aims at bringing transparency and securing the interests of small investors.

4. Swedish King and Queen will arrive in India on a 6-day visit

• Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia will arrive in India on 1^st December on a 6-day visit.
• It will be the third visit of king Gustaf to India.
• India and Sweden have a bilateral trade turnover of $ 3.37 billion.
• Sweden:
  • A Scandinavian country whose capital is Stockholm.
  • It is the largest country in Northern Europe.

5. 50^th edition of IFFI concludes

• The 50^th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) concluded in Goa.
• The Golden Peacock Award for the best film was awarded to the movie “Particles” which is directed by Blaise Harison.
• Lijo Jose Pellissery won the Best Director Award for his film ‘Jallikattu’.
• The Special Jury Award was given to Pema Tseden for her film ‘Balloon.’

6. Diplomacy Global Index 2019 released

• The Lowy Institute of Sydney released Diplomacy Global Index 2019 for 61 countries.
• China topped the index with 276 embassies and consulates, followed by USA and France.
• India ranked 12^th in the index with 123 embassies and high commissions and 54 consulates.

7. Approval for MoUs signed between India and Saudi Arabia for combating illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs

• The union cabinet has approved the MoUs signed between India and Saudi Arabia to combat trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Chemical Precursors.
• The MoUs will enhance cooperation between the two nations and enable them to exchange information as well as methods, identities of smugglers, financial details of traffickers, etc.
• Production and circulation of drugs at large scale through easy passages have led to the high consumption of drugs among youth, thereby leading to the criminalization of society and terror funding.

8. Approval for MoU signed between Indian and Myanmar related to prevention of Trafficking in Persons

• MoU signed between India and Myanmar on bilateral cooperation for Prevention Prevention of Trafficking in Persons; Rescue, Recovery, Repatriation and Re-integration of Victims of Trafficking has been approved by the Union Cabinet. 
• The MoU aims at preventing all forms of human trafficking.
• It will also ensure speedy investigation against traffickers and the sharing of database on traffickers and victims of trafficking in confidential manner.
• The cooperation between border control agencies of India and Myanmar could help in countering human trafficking.

9. Logo and Motto of Lokpal released

• Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, the Chairman of Lokpal, has released the logo and motto of Lokpal.
• An open competition was held for designing of logo and the motto. Finally, the logo designed by Prashant Mishra of Prayagraj has been approved.
• The logo consists of shapes like an ombudsman, three human figures, Ashoka Chakra, two Tricolor hands placed below.
• The motto was decided by the Lokpal itself as "Ma Gridhah Kasyasvidhanam" - Do not be greedy for anyone's wealth.
• The motto has been derived from the shloka of Ishavasya Upanishad.
• Lokpal:
  • It is a statutory body established under the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013.
  • The President appoints the chairman and other members fo Lokpal.

10. 13^th South Asian Games going on in Nepal

• The 13^th South Asian Games have begun in Kathmandu, Nepal. Although, the formal opening ceremony will be held on 1^st December 2019.
• More than 2700 athletes are participating in 26 games categories.
• It is the biggest sporting event of South Asia.
• Usually, these games are held every two years, barring some occasions.
• 1^st South Asian Games were also hosted by Kathmandu, Nepal, in 1984.
• 14^th South Asian Games will be jointly organized by Sri Lankan and Maldives.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The first International Conference on “Landslides Risk Reduction and Resilience” is going on in-

1. Gujarat
2. New Delhi
3. Assam
4. Uttar Pradesh

Correct Answer: (b)

2. Which of the following strait separates the Indian mainland and Sri Lanka?

1. Strait of Malacca
2. Strait of Gibraltar
3. 10-degree channel
4. Palk Strait

Correct Answer: (d)

3. In the recently passed Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2019, the prescribed limit for chit fund amount for chit funds operated by individuals has been increased from Rs. 1 lakh to _________.

1. Rs. 1.5 lakh
2. Rs. 2 lakh
3. Rs. 3 lakh
4. Rs. 6 lakh

Correct Answer: (c)

4. What is the capital of Sweden?

1. Stockholm
2. Oslo
3. Helsinki
4. Amsterdam

Correct Answer: (a)

5. Which of the following movies has won the Golden Peacock Award for the best film?

1. Jallikkattu
2. Particles
3. Balloon
4. Hellaro

Correct Answer: (b)

6. What is the rank of India in the 2019 Global Diplomacy Index?

1. 9^th
2. 10^th
3. 11^th
4. 12^th

Correct Answer: (d)

7. Recently, the government approved MoU signed between India and Myanmar which is related to-

1. Drug Trafficking
2. Human Trafficking
3. Terrorism
4. Cyber Crime

Correct Answer: (b)

8. The Union Cabinet has approved an MoU signed between India and which of the following countries on combating illicit trafficking and smuggling of narcotic drugs?

1. Thailand
2. Myanmar
3. Oman
4. Saudi Arabia

Correct Answer: (d)

9. The finally selected motto of Lokpal has been taken from which of the following Upanishads?

1. Ishavasya Upanishad
2. Mundaka Upanishad
3. Chandogya Upanishad
4. Prashna Upanishad

Correct Answer: (a)

10. The 13^th South Asian Games are being organized in-

1. India
2. Bhutan
3. Nepal
4. Bangladesh

Correct Answer: (c)